Flying foxes finally given the flick in North Eton

Thousands of flying foxes who've lived close to residents in North Eton for four years will be forced to leave now the Department of Environment and Resource Management has issued a permit for their removal.

For months residents of North Eton have been campaigning for the bats removal as their population became an increasing hindrance on the lifestyle.

"We haven't been able to use our house, the gardens, or the grounds, they've just been in one heck of a terrible mess," said North Eton resident Velda Mason.

The permit has been granted for nine days duration, starting on the 12th of April, in which time a range of processes will be implemented to move the flying foxes on.

"One of the conditions of the permit was that any of the dispersal methods must be non-harmful or not designed to overly stress the flying foxes" said manager of Health and Regulatory Services - Neil Ishenko.

Strong lighting, smoke, blank gun shots, and loud noise are the methods to be used to remove the flying foxes he said.

There's has been a delay to remove the bats because many were too young to fly without support.

"There's a need to make sure the welfare of the flying foxes is kept... once they've established that they can fly independently that's when we've been given a green light to go ahead," said Mr Ishenko.